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Steptronic or no steptronic?

Getting ready to order my daughter a 328i as a reward for getting a full scholarship to college. I am still in Afghanistan and they have a deal thru MWR where I can order a new BMW from the factory at MSRP minus 14%. Getting a Steptronic transmission is a $1260 option. Is this worth it??Gordon Jones
1997 528i

Re: Steptronic? Fundamental philosophical issue

That is a very generous gesture for the young lady. As for the transmission, I urge you to choose the manual. It will make her a more aware and better driver and it will keep her friends (most of them) from asking to borrow it. If you buy with automatic, why bother? Get an Acura or Infinity or equivalent and save her the hassles of BMW ownership.

Re: Steptronic or no steptronic?

I have a 530i with the Steptronic. I've owned MTs in the past, and loved them. I think the Steptronic is a poor substitute. I've played with it several times, and it just is not the same - less control, almost gimicky. I'd save the $1260.

Can she drive a stick?

My daughter couldn't, she could stall it with the car pointed downhill. A lot of inexperienced people treat the clutch like an infinitely variably gear ... not good for its longevity.

An auto trans has the advantage of simplicity. A BMW with an auto trans is still a better driver's car than an Acura or Lexus, but the current E90/92 hasn't got a sterling rep for reliability.

Most kids look upon a car in terms of a transportation appliance + cool factor. Cool factor might not be the ultimate driving machine in her perspective. Why don't you ask her what she wants within a certain price range? A solid Japanese sedan or sport coupe might be a better choice for an "away at college" vehicle.

8spd auto is great but if she has an auto trans

I would get a stick and this will also ensure that nobody will ever wants to borrow the car. Out of 10 young person 0 can drive a stick shift. including males. sad.

so if she is up for it, get the manual and it will probably make her a better safer driver and also save the car !
as far as clutch life, the delay valve will prevent most abuse unless intentional. that can't be helped.

The first car I bought for my daughter had a (m)

5 speed. She wanted and automatic, however I was paying for it and "Father Knows Best". It only took here a few weeks to master it and never burned out a clutch.
Her next 2 cars I got her were also 5 speeds, she loves them.
She just bought a new Outback, wanted a 5 speed but there were none to be had and she didn't want to wait and order one. She got the CVT tranny with paddle shifters.